Hydrokenoelsmoreite is a rare tungstate, typically colorless. It is a secondary mineral in the weathering zone of greisen vein and stockwork systems in granite. It is associated with wolframite and quartz. It was first described from the Drakelands mine (formerly the Hemerdon mine), ~10 km east of Plymouth, Devon, England.
Is this hydrokenoelsmoreite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch hydrokenoelsmoreite with a known reference. Hydrokenoelsmoreite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hydrokenoelsmoreite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hydrokenoelsmoreite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Hydrokenoelsmoreite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hydrokenoelsmoreite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydrokenoelsmoreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ☐₂W₂O₆(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.025 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Oxidation Zones of Antimony-rich Deposits
Where rockhounds find hydrokenoelsmoreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Drakelands mine, Devon, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, oxidation zones of antimony-rich deposits country, the host setting where hydrokenoelsmoreite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, bindheimite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.




